Only caught part of the match, but Aga's looking sharp. I think I'll root for her to win the Australian - I love the fact that she actually tries to have some semblance of variety in her game, with the slices, drop shots, and volleying. I'm not sure if she can avoid being slaughtered by Serena/Vika, though, unless they have some sort of breakdown.

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aga displayed some deft , well anticipated defensive shots against dominikas barage in that tourney.

one of those good contrast to watch matches...and the games seemed rather tight despite the score

Kvitova's reverting to pre-2011 Petra. I didn't get to see this mess of a match, but it seems neither lady deserved to win. Kvitova making a cr@pload of UEs and passing up high percentage for low percentage shots is something I come to expect from her against ANY opponent.

Kvitova just lost over 800 pts. I suspect she just wants to fall out of the top 10 before making a resurgence. Stosur is scared of expectations of playing in Australia while Kvitova is scared of expectations of being the next big thing. Both of them need to see a shrink.

last night she kept trying to get herself straight, but I think the crowd got to her when they seemed to gang up on her, cheering her errors, etc., the same way they do to federer opponnets sometimes. I started feeling sorry for her. It's not normal human nature to be able to ignore that ... it probly will take some kind of hypnotism to be able to deal with it.

Kvitova's reverting to pre-2011 Petra. I didn't get to see this mess of a match, but it seems neither lady deserved to win. Kvitova making a cr@pload of UEs and passing up high percentage for low percentage shots is something I come to expect from her against ANY opponent.

Kvitova just lost over 800 pts. I suspect she just wants to fall out of the top 10 before making a resurgence. Stosur is scared of expectations of playing in Australia while Kvitova is scared of expectations of being the next big thing. Both of them need to see a shrink.

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What a fall from expectation and hype. Between Kvitova's lack of fitness/flatfooted movement (which seems to have gone south since her lone majors title), lax behavior on court and falling back on blasting balls, she seems to be on the path of (ultimately) being a one-major wonder. She had the skill to win a major, but all of that vanished quickly--almost as though she just encountered the perfect storm of a draw to get her to the final, with the added benefit of facing one who was not so strong an opponent.

Her defenders love to point to asthma, the heat, etc., but that excuse cannot be used--particularly when they thought she wss in command of the match, so the blame for her failure rests between the ears, and with her body.

I suspect she just wants to fall out of the top 10 before making a resurgence.

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Why would she do that ? (Anyways voluntarily) -- She's really struggling and this primordially because of style of play. It's just too offensive and she's never ever going to win many matches playing like that. Obviously there are many other factors that come into play but this one I'd put on top of the list.

She's becoming the next Ivanovic. It'll be more and more hard for supporters including me to deny these critics with the results she's been posting lately though in the 'Petra vs. Ivanovic' discussion Petra > Ana. This is how low the standards have reached when she was projected in the upper-middle tier slam champions (Venus, Justine etc.)

Anyaways, I don't see her doing better in IW, Miami so grass is her unique salvation here.

Why would she do that ? (Anyways voluntarily) -- She's really struggling and this primordially because of style of play. It's just too offensive and she's never ever going to win many matches playing like that. Obviously there are many other factors that come into play but this one I'd put on top of the list.

She's becoming the next Ivanovic. It'll be more and more hard for supporters including me to deny these critics with the results she's been posting lately though in the 'Petra vs. Ivanovic' discussion Petra > Ana. This is how low the standards have reached when she was projected in the upper-middle tier slam champions (Venus, Justine etc.)

Anyaways, I don't see her doing better in IW, Miami so grass is her unique salvation here.

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Her results have gotten worse the past 4 majors (she did worse in the French SF than at the AO SF). With her form after the USO this match with Robson could have been on grass and it would be a good chance the result would have been the same.

I've been saying for a while that she doesn't like the spotlight. She's too next-door girly. And she gets really impatient. Constructing a point is not in her vocabulary. What did she do in the off-season other than goof off?

I've been saying she needs a new coach. The Czechs and Slovaks just play bang-bang tennis. The moment they get thrown a curve ball they all fold according to the script. It's like she plays without a purpose these days. Her serve is overrated and predictable. The moment her serve falls apart, her game just goes downhill. She has many talents and skills she doesn't utilize and/or just forgets about when she plays. That's the real frustrating part.

I think a big revision of the list is in order after the AO. I would also nominate Stosur-Zheng for the match list. Heck, I would still nominate Clijsters-Li. It was painful to watch that lack of mental strength.

I think a big revision of the list is in order after the AO. I would also nominate Stosur-Zheng for the match list. Heck, I would still nominate Clijsters-Li. It was painful to watch that lack of mental strength.

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That last game of the first set was epic. About three amazing points sprinkled amidst about two dozen real stinkers!!

She won despite being down a set...she fought her way out. That to me deserves a pat on the back not a chew out. The man is yet another control issue tennis parent like others have had in the past and Caro needs to get him out of the picture ASAP.

Her results have gotten worse the past 4 majors (she did worse in the French SF than at the AO SF). With her form after the USO this match with Robson could have been on grass and it would be a good chance the result would have been the same.

I've been saying for a while that she doesn't like the spotlight. She's too next-door girly. And she gets really impatient. Constructing a point is not in her vocabulary. What did she do in the off-season other than goof off?

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Hard to tell but maybe her game simply can not progress anymore. She already has probably all the tools, hard to do better from there.

Her RG SF was out of pure luck -- her draw was particularly weak and even so she struggled against couple girls like Shvedova before she had met the most in-form player losing in straights.

Her margin on grass IMO is still the highest after Serena Williams but I'm really intrigued with her declining fitness, footwork [...] how well she'll keep performing on this surface knowing that it requires so much precise movement to be offensive.

I've been saying she needs a new coach. The Czechs and Slovaks just play bang-bang tennis. The moment they get thrown a curve ball they all fold according to the script. It's like she plays without a purpose these days. Her serve is overrated and predictable. The moment her serve falls apart, her game just goes downhill. She has many talents and skills she doesn't utilize and/or just forgets about when she plays. That's the real frustrating part.

She is a mental headcase. She needs a wake-up call.... SOON!

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I'm generally not into the 'because a player fails, she/he needs to push the Master caution alert button' and change everything, coach, fitness coach etc. -- nevertheless, it's possible that the Kotyza contribution might have reached it's limits and Petra might probably need a new talk.

It's risky, a change can go either way, positive or negative but conceivably it's difficult to see Petra tone down her game if she also in parallel doesn't drastically improve her fitness (defensive, counter-punching skills) to be able to stay in points longer.

Power is the main motor of her game so I can understand when in difficult moments that she tries to rely on what she does best [...] but I can understand that she needs to change that mentality.

so does anyone know what is up with jj? i know she lost, but did she every get treatment from the trainer for whatever? she was clutching her back and the trainer showed up on court during the 2-1 changeover but afaik jj didn't get treatment for anything?

Still early in the season, but I think Li should definitely be removed from the list. So far, she has been consistent and winning matches she's suppose to win

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Li needs to make a statement during the majors. QFs is something she should be making, which is something she hasn't done the past 6 majors.

Vesnina can make it off the list if she makes a QF. 4th round is the furthest she's been in a major. Is her 3rd time in the 4th round a charm? She'll face a shaky Azarenka next. Vesnina hadn't made a 4th round at a major in over 3 years and lost in the 1st round at the AO each of the past 4 years, so I'll likely take her off regardless of outcome.

I have a felling it won't be as exciting or close as it could be. Radwa will get a ton of balls back, play slice-and-dice, mix it up, and Ana will have her moments with some huge winners, but will ultimately miss too much. Something like 6-4, 6-4, or 6-4, 6-3 for Radwa.

Still early in the season, but I think Li should definitely be removed from the list. So far, she has been consistent and winning matches she's suppose to win

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Well the Aussie swing is her real strong point anyway....well for the last couple years anyway. She is doing well defending her points but unless she goes past the quarters all it will be is equal to last year. Thats not a bad thing..but unless post AO she steps/keeps this up...I stay shes in limbo LOL

I think this will be a long year for Kvitova, Kerber, Errani. Heck throw in Stosur as well. If Wozniacki doesn't evolve from being THE WTA pusher, she can join these girls. I think we'll have a few new faces for the YEC. Hopefully deserving players that earned their spots.

so does anyone know what is up with jj? i know she lost, but did she every get treatment from the trainer for whatever? she was clutching her back and the trainer showed up on court during the 2-1 changeover but afaik jj didn't get treatment for anything?

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First of all, this thread, named "The What's Wrong with Her?" thread is itself an irony inside a paradox. A bunch of guys, doubtlessly most of whom did not attain to any professional career, judging the efforts of women at the top of the their sport, with a lens that colors what some would say is "She played to the best of her ability," as some sort of defect, failing or malady in the most ad hominem way.

But as far as JJ is concerned, this post reminds me of the 2010 Wimbledon coverage when JJ was interviewed and mentioned that the wind was a factor in her serve results. The haters practically skewered her. People like accused her of making excuses and took personal shots at her. I watched in awe when Roger Federer complained about the wind and those same commentators in almost complete ignorance of their hypocrisy went on to agree that the wind was "horrendous" and how unfortunate it was for Roger.

Some people have biases, hatred and dislikes and what they think about others (and themselves) is informed by those feelings.

Me? I love JJ's game and Roger's as well. If JJ calls for treatment I love it. There's always a chance that the cameras will provide a closeup of the smoking hot body on that pretty Serbian. That's a good thing. If you think that she does it to manipulate a match then your judgement is about as lacking as your character. Even with the anonymity of the Internet, I wouldn't make such an accusation unless I knew what i was talking about.

JJ is a good person with a game that has promise. Win or lose, I love to watch her play. Go JJ!

First of all, this thread, named "The What's Wrong with Her?" thread is itself an irony inside a paradox. A bunch of guys, doubtlessly most of whom did not attain to any professional career, judging the efforts of women at the top of the their sport, with a lens that colors what some would say is "She played to the best of her ability," as some sort of defect, failing or malady in the most ad hominem way.

But as far as JJ is concerned, this post reminds me of the 2010 Wimbledon coverage when JJ was interviewed and mentioned that the wind was a factor in her serve results. The haters practically skewered her. People like accused her of making excuses and took personal shots at her. I watched in awe when Roger Federer complained about the wind and those same commentators in almost complete ignorance of their hypocrisy went on to agree that the wind was "horrendous" and how unfortunate it was for Roger.

Some people have biases, hatred and dislikes and what they think about others (and themselves) is informed by those feelings.

Me? I love JJ's game and Roger's as well. If JJ calls for treatment I love it. There's always a chance that the cameras will provide a closeup of the smoking hot body on that pretty Serbian. That's a good thing. If you think that she does it to manipulate a match then your judgement is about as lacking as your character. Even with the anonymity of the Internet, I wouldn't make such an accusation unless I knew what i was talking about.

JJ is a good person with a game that has promise. Win or lose, I love to watch her play. Go JJ!

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who's attacking anyone, pete (that is aside from you jumping all over my case, that is)? where do i accuse jj of faking anything? where did i say that "this is the 2010 wimbledon all over again"? i could tell she was hurt because she played differently from that point on. i was actually hoping someone who saw the rest of the match or a post match presser would chime in with a medical update. instead i got you, mr. perry mason himself with 4 posts under his belt questioning my character because i want to know if my wife's fav is gonna be on the shelf for a while.

you'd better lighten up quite a bit, jr. if this is how you react to a post as benign as mine, then there are people on this board who will eat you alive!

Very true. But I think she's in better spirits. I liked her variety and she was very effective at the net. Seemed a bit more under control off the forehand wing. IF she can control her forehand and her emotions, she has a legit shot to win the AO.

Very true. But I think she's in better spirits. I liked her variety and she was very effective at the net. Seemed a bit more under control off the forehand wing. IF she can control her forehand and her emotions, she has a legit shot to win the AO.

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kuzzy should bronze that third set just for how she was able to pull it together and pull out a win. she was lights out in the last game serving for the match.

kuzzy should bronze that third set just for how she was able to pull it together and pull out a win. she was lights out in the last game serving for the match.

poor woz got snakebit again.

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I am afraid to say that, but Wozniacki will not progress with her limited game variety. She can only use 2 strokes, nothing else, even being in a situation calling for drop shot or a slice, she used the same over and over again. Not to mention her angle game includes one angle, right in the middle. I am really surprised she managed to win 1 set. Did someone say she was #1 at some point?